Palos Forest Preserves
Illinois · Midwest
Moderate
April-June
Free
Dawn to dusk daily
About This Location
The Palos Forest Preserves encompass over 14,000 acres in southwestern Cook County, making them the largest contiguous forest preserve complex in the Chicago region. The rolling terrain — unusual for the flat Chicago area — supports mature oak-hickory forest, prairie remnants, sloughs, and wetlands that host exceptional bird diversity.
The preserves are home to breeding species rare in the Chicago area, including Pileated Woodpecker, Barred Owl, and Red-shouldered Hawk. Spring migration brings warblers, thrushes, and flycatchers to the extensive forest, and the combination of water features and wooded uplands creates habitat diversity that supports over 250 recorded species. Key birding areas include Maple Lake, the Sag Valley, and the trails around Teason's Woods.
Location
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Notable Species
Live Bird Data
Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Notable Sightings
Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days
White-crowned Sparrow
Zonotrichia leucophrys
Cerulean Warbler
Setophaga cerulea
Louisiana Waterthrush
Parkesia motacilla
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
Ring-necked Pheasant
Phasianus colchicus
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Nyctanassa violacea
Redhead
Aythya americana
Chestnut-sided Warbler
Setophaga pensylvanica
Common Merganser
Mergus merganser
Black-and-white Warbler
Mniotilta varia
Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue Jay
Black-capped Chickadee
Barn Swallow
Northern House Wren
Gray Catbird
American Robin
American Goldfinch
Field Sparrow
Eastern Towhee
Red-winged Blackbird
Brown-headed Cowbird
Common Yellowthroat
Northern Yellow Warbler
Northern Cardinal
Indigo Bunting
Great Horned Owl
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Birding Tips
- 1
Maple Lake and the slough trails are the most productive areas for spring migrants
- 2
Listen for Barred Owls calling at dawn — they breed in the old-growth sections
- 3
The preserves are large enough for a full day of birding with minimal overlap between areas
- 4
Visit during spring migration (April-May) for the greatest species diversity
- 5
Arrive at dawn for peak bird activity, especially during migration seasons
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- Sagawau Environmental Learning Center
- Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center
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